Solar Bears name veteran defenseman Mike Monfredo team captain

Mike Monfredo is getting a new letter on his Orlando Solar Bears’ jersey.

The veteran defenseman has been named the Solar Bears captain for the 2018-19 season, the team announced Thursday. Monfredo, in his second season with Orlando, becomes the sixth player in team history to be named a full-time captain.

“Mike is a core piece of this team – he’s someone who primarily leads by example, but when he speaks in the locker room, he commands everybody’s full attention,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said in the press release. “He’s an excellent ambassador for our team, and someone we’re proud to select as our captain.”

Veteran forward Curt Gogol and forward Brady Shaw will serve as alternate captains, while forward Troy Bourke will serve as a third alternate as needed.

Monfredo, 28, has recorded eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) and 40 penalty minutes in 20 games this season.

“It’s an honor to be named captain,” Monfredo said in the press release. “We’ve got a great group of players in our locker room this season, and we’ve got what it takes to contend for a championship.”

The seventh-year pro has 175 points (40 goals, 135 assists) and 697 penalty minutes in 427 games with the Solar Bears, Rapid City Rush and Quad City Mallards.